Heavy periods… what to do?

[Grockle]

Does it matter if you have heavy periods? I mean, medically… it's a pita but I cope with it & have done for years.

I always knew I had heavy ones but googled at the weekend and have realised that mine are much more than average… I uses moon cup so know exactly how much I bleed & in 48 hrs it's been double what a woman would lose in a 'typical' period. My cycle seems quite regular atm but can vary enormously (from 25 - 90+days) and can be painful sometimes although not currently. I'm 37 so feel a bit silly going to GP to complain about it now. Is it something to get checked or just something to live with?

I would go to the GP and ask for a referral to a gynae as these problems can often be outside a GPs general remit. The cause of this needs to be properly determined.

Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding to arise hence also the suggestion to see a gynae.

You should get it checked out. Heavy periods, massively varying cycle... rule out PCOS for a start. I have it and I have a range of symptoms.

atm, apologies for tmi - I am sitting on a towel because I am flooding like hell and passing massive clots. I can go many months without anything. I have meds to take if I haven't had a period for 3 months. I also take metformin which although it's a diabetic drug, is also prescribed to women with pcos.

I also have the lovely facial hair that goes with it. If you're hairy faced or prone to weight gain, even more reason to have a doctor look you over.

If it's bothering you - get it checked out. If it's just normal for you, then at least you know and also you can discuss if there's anything that can help with it. If there's something, then you can look into meds options.

Google NICE guidelines for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Thank you. It's ridiculous & might explain a bit why I am so exhausted so often.

Fenella, that sounds awful. I have wondered about PCOS in the past. I get big clots too. The bathroom can look like a crime scene when I'm in there.

I really think you would benefit from having someone check it out.

You shouldn't have to put up with it. It's affecting your quality of life and there are likely things they can do to help you.

Thank you - I will try to sort an appointment.